More savings to get excited about!

So I had another great mini shopping trip the other day at Target.
I got Goldfish Crackers, regular $2.19 on sale for $1.79 and with my $1.00 off coupon...you guessed it 79 cents!!! Woohoo! I got six bags of them!
Then I got Crest For Kids toothpaste...regular $1.97. I had a Buy One, Get One Free coupon and $1.00 off coupon...got one for for 48 cents and the other for 49 cents! Woohoo!
Next was the Venus razors! Those were regular $6.59, eeek! I had two $2.00 off manufacturer coupons and combined them with two Target coupons for $3.00 off, so I got them for $1.59 each! I got two of them!
Now...
Please tell me WHY you're not doing SavingsAngel???

Fun at Rangers!

Here is Nate and his little airplane and helicopter models! He won the coloring contest last night at Royal Rangers. Each week before class as everyone is arriving, they have a topic...each boy draws and colors a picture and they choose one person as the "winner" and they get a prize from the treasure chest. It's more of a rotation, as opposed to "best picture" which is nice. Although I must say Nate's picture was pretty darn cute last night! He had the cutest smiling sunshine and this adorable black bird...although the bird looked as if he might be dead. Haha! It's pretty funny!

When all else fails...look cute!

Yes...I think that is Evan and Oreo's motto..."When all else fails, look cute!" Well aren't they?!?! I love these pictures of the two of them. Oreo lets Evan carry him around like that all the time. What other cat would put up with that? They have been inseparable since the day Evan started KritterKamp at the humane society that year!

The day we went to the open house at the end of his session there, we finally decided we'd let the boys get a cat. However, Jamie and I would have never picked out this one, LOL! We had our sights on the little kittens that we could train.

Little did we know how much Evan and Oreo had bonded over that week. Oreo was two years old when we got him that day. He's now three. I wouldn't trade him for the world.

At times, he's naughty and just downright dumb...but I love that cat more than anything! I think I love him more than anyone! LOL! Well, it's a tight race between Ev and me. LOL!

Yes, Oreo is my third son and I spoil him and baby him. Jamie always wonders why I love him so much and spoil him so much. I can't help it. I have just fallen in love with that cat. Jamie loves him too. He just doesn't admit it openly like me and the boys do. No one can ever replace Pouncie...but Oreo is our special sweetheart!

Chocolate fun!

Judging by the pictures, you can see the boys were in chocolate heaven last night. I made a chocolate cake and let them lick the beaters. That Natee...I tell ya, he makes such a mess! LOL! The first thing Evan said when I grabbed the camera was, "You're not putting these on facebook are you?" LOL! I said, "No...I promise I won't". Little did he know they're going on my blog! Teehee! Oh well...not too many people read this. It's more for my benefit.

I'm pooped today. I really need to start going to bed earlier, but I can't. I'm too much of a night owl. My contacts are killing my eyes...they're just too tired to have them in...but I'm too vain to take them out and put my glasses on. I'm pathetic...I know.

Nothing to do tonight. Thank goodness. Just showers for the boys and maybe homework...hopefully not though. I swear, I dread homework more than they do. Still waiting on Ev's math test grade. Crossing our fingers he got a good grade. Poor thing hates math as much or more than I did.

Well...I better run for today. Ev's bus will be here soon. Then all chaos breaks loose. Gotta get the kids up from nap, start diapers, snacks, getting kids ready to go, etc. etc. etc.

Till next time...

Back to bangs...

Well, I decided to go back to bangs. Still staying with the angled bob...which I love. I just needed something fresh and sassy, LOL! I tried the long side-swept bangs, but I just can't pull them off. I have the big 'ol "Strawberry Shortcake" forehead. Remember those dolls? They all had those big 'ol foreheads! LOL! I've always referred to my forehead as a "Strawberry Shortcake" forehead because it's so "high" and reminds me of those dolls, LOL!
Anywho...
Laura did my hair this time and I had her cut a more dramatic angle on it. It was a little too straight before. I like the dramtic angle on it now much better.
Feels soooooooooo good to have all that hair gone! I am a short-hair woman!

Another successful week with SavingsAngel!

Well, another successful week with SavingsAngel! I cut my grocery bill by 51% this week! Got some more amazing deals.

At Walgreens:
Retail: $34.34

Paid: $14.24

Savings: $20.10

At Meijer:

Retail: $85.25

Paid: $50.12

Savings: $35.13

At FamilyFare:

Retail: $12.47

Paid: $8.97

Savings: $3.50

I'm still learning the system. I am still learning how to best use the coupons they tell you to use, how many I need to purchase, etc. Sometimes I don't read the fine print and goof up. But I'm learning with each new shopping trip. My grand total for groceries this week was $73.33, which I think is VERY good, seeing as how I stocked up on a lot of things. I normally spend anywhere from $100.00-150.00 per week, so I am definitely benefiting from this program. My ultimate goal though is to keep my entire grocery bill between $40.00-60.00 per week.

We are looking at freezers right now. We have decided a freezer would be a good investment since we are now purchasing alot of frozen items and meat on sale. We have also thought about putting in a pantry (since our home was not built with one) somewhere down the road.

I am excited about continuing the learning experience with this program. I keep spreading the word...but no one seems to be jumping on board yet. That's ok! I guess some people have more money to "WASTE" on groceries then I do. I LOVE seeing the savings add up! It has become an addiction for me! Go me!

A VERY quiet weekend...

Well this was a very quiet...and my kids might say boring...weekend. I personally loved it. It snowed all weekend long...a ton. We didn't go ANYWHERE on Saturday. I slept in...and then I even took a LONG nap! LOL! Caught up on laundry and dishes and a few other chores...but other than that, we relaxed. I made a yummy pot of chili for dinner.

Later that night the boys were both complaining of of tummy aches. Ev's turned out to be nothing...he had a few Tums and took the "puke bowl" to bed. But as Jamie took Nate in to the bathroom to brush his teeth, he said, "I think I'm gonna puke"...so Jamie said, "Well get over the toilet!" Too late. He puked all over the bathroom. Oh my gosh...what a mess. I used nearly an entire roll of paper towels. Cleaned, disinfected, you name it. Holy moly.

Ended up staying home from church on Sunday because I didn't know how the boys were doing still at that point. We got through the night with no more pukes...but at the same time, I didn't want them spreading any germs if they had some kind of bug. So we all stayed home and had a "rest day" and stayed in our jammies.

Thankfully, no one else got sick and it turned out to be just a one time incident for Nate. Thank goodness...illness is so draining on everyone...the sick person AND those who have to clean it up. LOL!

A better mood...kinda...

Well, I'm in a better mood today. Not that my feelings about certain things have changed since yesterday...but I'm choosing to be happy regardless of other people. My faith will never waver, regardless of life's circumstances. Life is what it is.
Anywho...
The weather is nasty today. I need to get my hair cut SO BEYOND bad...but it's not looking good out there. We're under another Winter Storm Warning and supposed to get 4-8 inches. So I'm not really wanting to brave the elements.
Now that I've started going grocery shopping through the week, it's really weird not having anything to do on Saturdays. I'm ok with it...as long as the boys don't totally drive me insane. Their bickering, fighting, and arguing has been at an all time high lately. They never used to argue. They always played so nice. But I guess it's just the ages they're at. Ev is getting older and they are just not "meshing" at the moment. Thank goodness for Nice & Easy because they are giving me gray hair daily. LOL!
I honestly have nothing to do today! I think I may go a little stir crazy myself! LOL!

Organization and cleaning!

So we finally got tired of the messy rooms the boys were keeping. I can't say it was "entirely" their fault. They both have small rooms and very little storage.

So...we went out and got them some storage units, shelving, etc. It took an entire day, per room, to clean and organize each of their rooms...and there's still a few things we'd like to do. But for the most part...we're done. The first four pictures are of Nate's room. His room will never look entirely like I want it to, because of all his "friends"...a.k.a. his stuffed animals. He has soooooo many! And in my opinion, it kindof makes his room look a little messy. But how can I force my baby to give up his "friends". He loves sleeping with them all. I'm not going to rush him to grow up! No way! The next four are of Evan's room. I am so happy with the outcome of both of their rooms. The best part is, they are actually KEEPING them clean! I'm in shock! We still have a few things left to do. Jamie needs to do some calking. We want to paint both of their rooms still yet. But for the most part, it is a VAST improvement...I'll take it!

Baby...It's cold outside!

It's baaa-aaaack! Old man winter has returned rearing his ugly face one more time! The boys were SO hoping for a snow day today. It didn't help to see that tons of other schools were closed today, including their cousin's.
I'm freezing as usual. Thinking I may go make a pot of coffee. I never do that in the middle of the afternoon, but it's sounding pretty darn good about now. Ev will be coming home in a few minutes and I'm sure he'd love some as well. That will be a treat for him. He's my coffee-buddy!
The only nice thing, is that none of us have to go ANYWHERE tonight. So...
LET IT SNOW, LET IT SNOW, LET IT SNOW!
LOL!
It can do all it wants. We have nowhere to go and nothing to do.
I am so tired. I think it's partly the weather. I can't WAIT till this weekend. I am so anxious to sleep in on Saturday! How pathetic is that...when all you're looking forward to is sleeping in! LOL!
Oh well. I love my simple life.
Gotta keep it short today. The kids will be up from their nap soon and Ev will be home in a minute!
Till next time!

Unbelievable savings!

Well, you probably can't totally read the receipts posted here. But let me help you out...
I SAVED 54% ON MY GROCERY BILL THIS WEEK!!!
I am telling you...if you haven't signed up for SavingsAngel yet...now is the time to check and see if they have it in your area! I got rice cakes for free this week. I got Lysol multi-purpose spray for 95 cents, I got Totino's Pizza Rolls for 60 cents, and so much more!
My pantry, cabinets, and freezer are busting at the seams! Our next big purchase is a freezer for the garage. It is amazing to me that more people don't know about this service...and the ones that do know...WHY AREN'T YOU USING IT?!?!
LOL!
Not only will you save big, they PAY YOU to refer people!
Here is my referral code and link if you are truely interested in saving BIG money!

http://savingsangel.com/amember/go.php?r=22398&i=l8

It's the little things...

It's the little things that really make my day. On Friday, we celebrated Valentine's Day with the daycare kids. I always do a special craft/coloring sheet, make special cookies, we exchange cards, and I send them home with goodie bags.
Well, our newest family/client came in with a GIFT for us! How incredibly sweet was that! It was this beautiful ceramic cross with a little verse about "blessings". They gave us a card as well thanking us for the care we provide for their children.
It's these little things that people do that really make my day. Not that you need a gift to feel appreciated. But when someone stops and takes the time just to give a little token to let you know how much you're appreciated, it really goes a long way.
This job can be very high stress and burn-out is quick.
When people do little things like this...it really melts the stress and recharges you.
Thank-you DeKock family!

Happy Valentine's Day!

Happy Valentine's Day one and all! We hadn't planned anything for today, but in the end...we ended up having the best evening! Everything just fell into place! We couldn't have pre-planned it any better!
We called Dave and Jenna and asked if they wanted to go out for dinner...as luck would have it, they were free! And even better luck, Geeg and Papa were available to spend the evening with the boys! Yea Geegee and Papa!
The boys had a great evening. They had pizza and breadsticks, watched movies, had popcorn, played games, and had a great visit!
We went to Texas Roadhouse and got the Valentine's Day special. They had an appetizer and two dinners for $29.95. We got the cheese fries. Both of us had the ribeye steaks, mashed potatoes, and salads. Dave and Jenna got the same thing.
We finished up there and then headed over to Starbucks and had coffee and visited for quite a while.
It was a really nice evening. It's always nice to be able to visit with good friends.

Blessings/Thanksgiving

Today I am thankful for...

*My little "foot-warmer" under the desk where I'm sitting...my kitty is laying on top of my feet keeping them nice and toasty.

*Not having to go anywhere when it's snowing...being able to enjoy the snow is so much better than dreading it.

*Homemade milkshakes...yum yum yum...need I say more?

SavingsAngel

I first have to start this post by thanking Jen from CafeMom. You are MY angel! LOL! This site is the best service I think I have ever happened upon!
The picture above is$47.41 worth of items from Meijer. I got all this for $11.20!!!
How you may ask?
SavingsAngel.
You pay $19.95 a month (basically $5.00 a week) for their service...and before you think, "Uh-oh, gimic...sounds shakey...I smell a scam..."
Let me tell you NO! It is not a scam.
It is an awesome service that teaches you how to get the most bang for your buck when shopping. You may think, "I can do that on my own without paying for the service"...I thought that too. But I couldn't do it...and wasn't. Even though I thought I was a coupon queen...I wasn't NEARLY maximizing my coupons and sales the way I should've been!
What is does is posts all the sale ads from your local grocery, discount, and drug stores. It shows the retail price, sale price, and which coupons you need...be it from newspaper inserts, online coupons, in-store coupons, etc.
I got Colgate toothpaste for 25 cents!
I got Progresso soup for 15 cents!
I got Chex Mix for FREE!
This service is only available in select states/cities right now. But it is worth checking into to see if your city/state is available.
Oh! They also pay you to refer people! If you happen to join...feel free to use my referral # which is 22398.
I am still learning the process and hope to get better and better. Several people have told me they used to pay $100.00 a week on groceries and are down to $30.00 and have pantries and freezers stockpiled with food and supplies! People have said they get $300.00 for $40.00!
I am so excited about it and shopping is now like an adventure!

Blessings/Thanksgiving

Today I am thankful for...

*SavingsAngel...I am so grateful to my friend Jen on CafeMom for introducing me to this wonderful, amazing program! My grocery bills are about to be cut in half...or more! More info to come on this one!

*My parents...who are always so much fun to spend time with. They are generous, loving, and I can't imagine my life without them.

*Spring-like weather...today felt soooo cold at 36 degrees. We were spoiled by this warm stretch we had of 50 and 60 degree weather! It was soooo cold at the bus stop today!

Evan's Jazz Band Concert was AMAZING!

Again...I'm behind a few days. Things have been so chaotic this week. Evan had his Jazz Band Concert on Tuesday and it was AWESOME! It amazes me how much these kids learn in such a short time and how their talent develops.
It was a combined concert with Cityside and Creekside. The orchestra performed as well. It was absolutely amazing. So much fun. I didn't know I liked jazz so much! I wanted to get up and dance! LOL! They did Night Train, Pink Panther, Banana Slug Blues, Basin Street Blues, In The Mood, Blue Monk, Watermelon Man, All Aboard, and Big Band Super Hits. I enjoy the band so much and love being a band mom. I get to relive my childhood through my kiddos. I'm so glad they are expanding their horizons creativly and athletically...doing things I would've never done. I'm so proud of my boys!

Blessings/Thanksgiving

I've missed a few posts!


Today I am thankful for...

*My digital camera...it may not be fancy or have lots of bells and whistles, but after scanning in nearly 50 pictures over the weekend, I realized how much I LOVE my digital camera!

*Flavored Lemonades...strawberry, cherry, kiwi, mango, wildberry, raspberry. I LOVE flavored lemonade. I can't wait till it warms up so I can have some! Every time we go out to eat and they offer this, I just can't get in the mood for it when it's 20 degrees outside!

*My hair stylist...I have finally found one gal that KNOWS what "I" want and she has been working with me for about a year now to get it there! She is awesome! I love her and always request her! We've finally did it Amanda! Thank-you!

I finally decorated...a little.

I finally "decorated" for Valentine's Day...if you can call it that. I realized upon opening up my totes downstairs that I really don't have any Valentine decorations! What's a girl to do?!?! I must look for some on clearance after the holiday has passed this year! Well, at least I have my Valentine wreath and window clings. That's gotta count for something.
Tonight I'm going to run to Meijer. They have alot of stuff on sale. Even though we did our grocery shopping Saturday, we figured it would be smart to stock on some basics and staples while they're on sale. Plus, I have coupons! What could be better?!?!
Tomorrow is Evan's jazz concert. I'm so excited. I love going to his concerts and all the parades. I LOVE the band! Woohoo!
It is so cloudy today. The temperature reads 41...but I am sitting here freezing because there is no sunlight coming in through the windows like there normally is.
I just finished another piece of my birthday cake. It's almost gone now. This is a good thing. I've GOT to get back to exercising this week. The chips are gone too.
Now that Jamie is home in the evenings, I've been doing too much munching and tv watching and not enough exercising! LOL!

My birthday!

So yesterday was my birthday...37 years old! Eeeek!

I've officially decided it's time to quit remembering numbers. It's getting too close to the big "4-0". We don't need to talk numbers anymore.

I had a great day though.

TONS of birthday wishes from my family and friends. Now, being on CafeMom and Facebook...I had birthday wishes coming from all over the country/world! It was awesome. I was showered with so much love!

I got lots of cards too.

I had several birthday dinners the week of my birthday because we kept getting "free dinner" coupons from all our favorite restaurants for their "birthday clubs". So I was spoiled. Last night Jam and I got my VERY FAVORITE PIZZA IN THE WHOLE WIDE WORLD! Fricano's Too...downtown Holland ranks second to none in my book! It's like pizza on a cracker! Such thin crust, and such fresh toppings...YUM-O!

Jamie and I went to the bakery to pick up a cake. He's telling me to get something "pink and flowery" that "I" would like...but as you can see...when I saw that cake with the Darth Vader on it...I had to have it...I knew the boys would flip when they saw it. Am I a good mom or what?!?! LOL!

Nate made me a birthday hat as you can see in the photo above that I am modeling.

We had a really fun night. Just hangin' together as a fam. Those are the best times!

Blessings/Thanksgiving

Today I am thankful for...

*My hubby's surgery going well...I am now at peace knowing it all went well and that he hasn't had any major pain or discomfort since!

*A sense of calm...it has to be God, because with the state of things in our life right now, I can only give credit to God for keeping me out of a state of panic and non-stop worry.

*The music my son makes...I love listening to Evan play his trumpet. Although we have to hound him to practice, and he COULD BE ALOT BETTER, I still enjoy listening to him and think he's really great!

He came through with flying colors!

Ooops! I have accidentally missed a few days on my blog! I HATE that this has happened. It was my goal to be so faithful in writing in here! But I do have a little bit of an excuse...as I mentioned in the last entry, Jamie had surgery on his arm and I was a nervous wreck for some odd reason.
He came through with flying colors and didn't even need to fill his prescription for pain meds. I think the thing that is bothering him most is the bandage. He finds it uncomfortable, irritating, and just a nuisance. He goes back on Monday for a follow-up appointment. I don't know if he'll get his stitches out then or not. We'll see! I feel so good now that it's over. I don't know why I was such a mess. I wasn't that way with his neck surgery...must be age. LOL!

Blessings/Thanksgiving

Today I am thankful for...

*My husband...if I haven't said it yet, or even if I have...I am forever eternally grateful for my husband. I could not function without him!

*Sunshine...it really takes some of the duldrums off of these cold winter days.

*Sunglasses...gotta have these when that sunshine is blazing off that crisp white snow!

Jamie is having surgery today...and I'm a mess.

Today Jamie is having his surgery on his elbow for the pinched nerve. I don't know what's wrong with me, but I'm a nervous wreck. I wasn't this worried when he had his neck surgery!

It has got to be an attack of the enemy (or I've watched too many episode of "House") because I have so much fear and worry going on right now.

I wasn't worried up until now. I was fine. But all of a sudden I am full of fear. It's a simple outpatient procedure for crying out loud! What is wrong with me?

Get thee behind me!

For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.
2 Timothy 1:7

Blessings/Thanksgiving

Today I am thankful for...

*Batteries...of which I am totally out of! This is why you see a siggy/tag on my daily blog instead of a picture! My rechargable batteries are totally dead...boohoo!

*Flavored water...whoever invented this stuff was a genious! I hate plain old tap water. This flavored stuff is great. I don't like the carbonated stuff...it's too sweet. Even some of the non-carbonated brands are too sweet (Fruit 2O). I love Nestle Pure Life and Dasani.

*Nice & Easy Hair Color...I don't know if I've mentioned haircolor before on my thankful list...but Nice & Easy is the best! It's relatively inexpensive and it's super easy for people like me! LOL!

A lazy day...

Today was a lazy day. Neither of us slept well last night, so when the alarm went off for church this morning...I don't think I even heard it or recognized it...but I must have shut it off and fell back asleep. Needless to say, we didn't make it to church. I usually move my alarm far enough away from my bed so I have to sit up and reach to shut it off, that way I know I'll never oversleep for work...but I must not have moved it far enough away last night.

I did get alot of housecleaning done though. I dusted, vaccuumed, did laundry, dishes, and cleaned bathrooms. The house is looking pretty good about now!

I meant to get some scrapbooking done today, but was too tired after all the cleaning.

I did manage to get my hair colored...which was way over-due. My roots were bad!

We had our annual Super Bowl feast tonight. We did a Mexican theme tonight. We had taquitos, cruncheros, and Rotel. It was quite tasty.

Well, I guess that's all for today...until tomorrow!